My wife and I have talked about getting an aquarium for some time now and this weekend we did it. We are new to the hobby... does anyone here have a saltwater aquarium?

I just ordered 25# of live rock and I can't wait until it gets here so we can get started.

I really can't wait until we can get some livestock if I am this excited about rock... I am going to be really excited when we we can get some fish. We have talked about eventually getting some clowns, a scooter blenny, a tang or a butterflyfish and a star fish, but we will probably start out with some green chromis or maybe some black Molly's. Anybody have any recommendations?

 

It's so much work to maintain an aquarium, especially a saltwater one.

 

I have a 1,000 litre tank in my lounge and the maintenance kills me (freshwater), but I'm still planning a marine tank too.

 

find yourself a reputable dealer nearby. They will give u sound advise. I would also look into buying a book on the different species of salt water fish. You don't want to add two $100 fish only to find out that they are not compatible, and watch them do a Gladiator stunt. Clowns, and the cheap blue, and black/white fish(i forgot the name) are good starter fish, but you will want to get rid of them once the tank is stable(takes 5-6 wks). These starter fish tend to be highly territorial. I had a 55 gal salt water tank, and it is ALOT of work and money. However, it is sooo much more beautiful then a fresh water tank

good luck

 

I have to disagree, it's a lot of work to get a saltwater aquarium started but to it's easy to maintain. I've had a 55 gal. salt with a maroon clownfish, yellow tang and a strawberry pseudochromis, with some mushrooms and trumpet corals. I've had this setup for about over a year now and knock on wood it's pretty much self-sustaining besides the standard 10% water change every month.

what equipment do you already have? i.e. protein skimmer, wet/dry filter, lights?

as far as fish goes, you have to wait at least 3 weeks until after you put in the live rock before you can put in fish so you have plenty of time to think about it.

you can also use a couple of damsels to start up the nitrogen cycle.

feel free to ask any questions. since I didnt really give any answers

 

Do plenty of research before you start putting invertebrates in the tank - If I remember correctly once you add invertebrates you cannot shock your tank and fish with Copper if things go south in the tank - Damsels are the ideal fish to get things going because of costs and potential loss - you need to let the tank mature a little before you start adding live rock, Anenome and expensive fish!

 

Pics please!

 

jt passats is right, i have maintained several saltwater tanks ranging from 25 gallons to 150 gallons. PM me is you have any questions

 

Wow, I've got a nice 55 gallon in my living room that I got as a house-warming gift that I haven't setup yet, but I'll definitely be coming to you guys for thoughts on startup. I got two books (i'll have to find out the names), but i haven't read them yet Not my #1 priority in a new house

 

Get a NEMO

A must have !